Drug Abuse

Drug addiction is a complex disorder caused by a combination of chronic drug use, genetic predisposition, and environmental influences. It is a pattern of compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior that leads to a significant impairment in overall daily functioning. Addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs and eventually develops into an uncontrollable chemical dependency. Unfortunately, between 60 to 80% of addicted individuals over the age of 12 relapse within a year of withdrawal from drugs. More importantly, drug abuse often occurs often alongside other psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.

Consequently, drug abuse and addiction has had enormous medical, social, and economic consequences worldwide. In fact, drug abuse and addiction cost the United States’ economy over $524 billion each year according to the National Institute for Drug Addiction (NIDA). A significant amount of this staggering socioeconomic burden comes from combating the widespread illegal drug trade. Yet, it also stems from higher health care costs, increased crime rates, and an overall loss of productivity among drug users.

DAYA is dedicated to alleviating drug addiction, especially with methamphetamine (meth), through a unique two-pronged approach which targets treatment and production. The first is to develop a safe and effective medication which reduces meth-seeking behavior and simultaneously treats depression (a serious effect of withdrawal). The second is to prevent the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine from Sudafed, a common over-the-counter medication.